Manchester United played out a goalless draw against local rivals Manchester City at Old Trafford. (Reports: BBC, Soccernet, Guardian, ManUtd.com.)
Some notes:
- I just knew it was going to be one of those matches the moment ESPN’s pundits predicted 3-0 and 3-1 scorelines because they’ve managed to get it wrong so many times this season. To be fair, that has more to do with United’s sub-standard form rather than their poor precognitive abilities.
- It was a derby match and the commitment and determination displayed was such that three players gave blood to the cause before the 20 minute mark.
- The Guardian reports United had 67 per cent of the possession and 15 goal attempts but the Red Devils were foiled by a combination of woeful finishing and resolute City defending. Saha and Smith both had goal-bound shots cleared off the line while Saha and Giggs managed to miss the target completely even when it seemed easier to score than miss. Ferguson did not mince his words in his post-match interview.
- Smith got his first yellow card of the season in the 60th minute and received his second two minutes before the end. The Old Trafford were sufficiently impressed with his full-blooded approach to the game that they gave him a standing ovation as he jogged off the field. It was his 10th red card of his career.
- Ronaldo needs to be given a break soon. The kid looked out of sorts in the second half and nothing seemed to go right for him.
- United, in seventh place, are 11 points behind the new pacesetters, Chelsea, and you really have to wonder how much worse it’s going to get before it gets better.
